Which country switched from left to right driving?

Sweden is the best-known example: the country switched from left- to right-hand driving on 3 September 1967 in a meticulously planned national changeover known as “Dagen H” (H-Day). Several other nations have made similar shifts—most notably Iceland (1968), Nigeria (1972), Ghana (1974), and Myanmar (1970)—usually to align with neighbors, standardize vehicle supply, or improve road safety. Below, we explain how and why these changeovers happened, and what they entailed.

Sweden’s ‘Dagen H’ (1967): A model for a national switch

By the mid-1960s, most of continental Europe drove on the right, while Sweden still drove on the left. With a majority of cars having left-hand steering wheels (imports from right-driving countries), the mismatch heightened overtaking risks. After years of debate, Sweden executed a nationwide transition at 5 a.m. on 3 September 1967.

How Sweden pulled it off

The following points summarize the key measures Sweden used to manage the switch safely and on schedule.

• A long lead-up campaign: A multi-year information drive used radio, TV, signage, school materials, and branded merchandise to prepare drivers for the change.
• Overnight reconfiguration: Crews reoriented signage, road markings, and intersections in a tight overnight window, supported by a short traffic standstill.
• Vehicle and transit adjustments: Bus doors, stops, and lane usage were redesigned to suit right-side boarding and traffic flow.
• Enforcement and speed management: Strict speed limits and heavy enforcement reduced risk during the initial days and weeks.
• Safety outcomes: Accident numbers dipped immediately after the switch, largely attributed to heightened driver caution and reduced speeds, before returning closer to trend over time.

Taken together, Sweden’s strategy showed that a large-scale side-of-road change is possible with strong planning, clear communication, and temporary constraints to reduce risk.

Iceland’s ‘H-dagurinn’ and other countries that switched

Sweden’s neighbor Iceland followed suit less than a year later, and several other countries—often for regional consistency or vehicle-market reasons—made the same switch from left-hand traffic to right-hand traffic.

• Iceland (1968): Known as “H-dagurinn” (H-Day), Iceland switched to align with right-driving neighbors and visitors.
• Myanmar (Burma) (1970): A government decree moved traffic to the right; the change was abrupt and notable because many vehicles still had right-hand steering wheels afterward.
• Nigeria (1972): Switched to match most neighboring countries in West Africa, easing cross-border travel and logistics.
• Ghana (1974): Branded as a national “Keep Right” campaign, the change aligned Ghana with regional traffic norms.
• Earlier European shifts (late 1930s–early 1940s): Countries such as Austria (1938), Czechoslovakia (1939–41), and Hungary (1941) standardized on right-hand traffic, reflecting geopolitical realities and continental norms of the era.

Although each transition had local nuances, the common throughline was alignment—whether with neighbors, vehicle supply chains, or broader continental standards.

Why countries decide to switch sides

Decisions to change the side of the road are rare and complex; when they do happen, they usually reflect practical benefits that outweigh transition costs.

• Regional harmonization: Matching neighbors simplifies cross-border driving and reduces confusion for drivers and freight operators.
• Vehicle market alignment: It’s easier and cheaper to source vehicles that match the dominant steering configuration in nearby markets.
• Safety considerations: Standardizing traffic flow with regional norms can reduce head-on collision risks in border zones and improve sign and road design consistency.
• Institutional and historical shifts: Political changes, integration with larger economic areas, or post-war reorganization sometimes catalyze a switch.

These factors tend to reinforce one another: market forces, safety, and policy alignment collectively push toward a single regional standard.

Costs, challenges, and how they’re managed

Switching sides is disruptive. Governments that have done it typically plan for years and stage intensive communications and infrastructure work to mitigate risks.

• Infrastructure overhaul: Road markings, signs, intersections, bus stops, and traffic signals need to be reoriented or replaced.
• Transit and fleet updates: Buses and public vehicles may require door reconfiguration; driver training and licensing updates are essential.
• Public communication: Mass campaigns, simple icons, and temporary speed restrictions help drivers adapt safely.
• Short-term safety dip risks: Authorities typically mitigate these with enforcement, lower speed limits, and phased rollouts.

While the upfront costs can be high, careful planning and clear messaging have repeatedly proven effective in keeping the transition period orderly and safe.

Not all changes go left-to-right

A notable counterexample is Samoa, which moved from right-hand to left-hand driving in 2009 to align with Australia and New Zealand’s vehicle markets and familial import patterns. The case underscores that decisions are driven by practical alignment more than any inherent superiority of one side over the other.

Summary

Sweden famously switched from left- to right-hand driving on 3 September 1967, a landmark event known as Dagen H. It wasn’t alone: Iceland (1968), Myanmar (1970), Nigeria (1972), and Ghana (1974) also changed, usually to harmonize with neighbors and vehicle markets. Though costly and complex, these transitions have been executed safely with careful planning, strong public communication, and temporary speed and enforcement measures. The broader lesson is that side-of-road conventions evolve to reflect regional realities—and successful changeovers hinge on meticulous preparation and clear, sustained messaging.

Why did America switch from left to right driving?

America drives on the right due to colonial-era transportation practices, particularly the use of Conestoga wagons where drivers sat on the left horse to control their whip-wielding, right-handed lashing of the team, naturally preferring traffic pass on the left. This habit, along with a desire to separate from British left-hand traffic customs after the American Revolution, led to right-hand travel becoming the norm, later standardized in states like New York by 1804 and eventually by Henry Ford’s left-side steering wheel placement on the popular Model T.
 
Colonial Practices and Wagon Use

• Conestoga Wagons: Opens in new tabDrivers on large freight wagons, particularly the Conestoga, would sit on the left rear horse. 
• Right-Handed Control: Opens in new tabThis position kept the driver’s right arm free to use their whip to control the team of animals, leading to a natural inclination to keep to the right side of the road. 
• Clear Passing: Opens in new tabKeeping to the right allowed the driver to see the oncoming wagon’s wheels and keep clear of them, facilitating safe passing. 

Cultural Factors

• Rejection of British Custom: The widespread adoption of right-hand travel was partly driven by a desire to establish a distinct American identity, separate from British customs. 
• The Revolution’s Influence: The American Revolution cemented this divergence from Britain, with right-hand travel evolving from a colonial habit to a symbol of national independence. 

Standardization

• Early Laws: Opens in new tabThe Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road, established in 1795, was the first to mandate right-hand travel. 
• State Legislation: Opens in new tabNew York formalized right-hand travel on all highways in 1804, and by the Civil War, this practice was followed in every state. 
• Henry Ford’s Role: Opens in new tabThe mass production of the left-hand-drive Ford Model T in 1908 further solidified right-hand driving as the standard in the United States, as it became easier for drivers to see and overtake other vehicles. 

When did Canada switch to driving on the right?

Canada did not have a single, nationwide switch date, but rather its provinces and territories changed to driving on the right in the 1920s, with the process largely completed by 1924 to align with the United States. For example, British Columbia switched to driving on the right on January 1, 1922, followed by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in subsequent years. The Dominion of Newfoundland, which joined Canada in 1949, was the last to switch in 1947. 
Key details:

• Eastern Central Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, and the prairie provinces had always driven on the right. 
• British Columbia: Changed to driving on the right on January 1, 1922. 
• Maritime Provinces: New Brunswick changed on December 1, 1922; Nova Scotia on April 15, 1923; and Prince Edward Island on May 1, 1924. 
• Dominion of Newfoundland: Switched to driving on the right in 1947. 
• Reason for Change: The switch was largely to standardize traffic rules and to facilitate movement and trade with the United States, which already drove on the right. 

Which country changed driving from left to right?

‘the right-hand traffic reorganisation’), was on 3 September 1967, the day on which Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. The “H” stands for “Högertrafik”, the Swedish word for right-hand traffic. It was by far the largest logistical event in Sweden’s history.

Which country switched to right hand traffic?

Canada, Myanmar, Gibraltar, British Indian Ocean Territory, Belize, and a few countries in West Africa like Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia all switched to driving on the right hand side of the road.